
Imagine that I’m a politician (granted, that will never happen, but play along). As a politician, I like attention and I like money. But much of the attention I’ve gotten over the years has been negative, and the straight salary of a politician is not very good. That’s always bugged me.
Imagine further that you’re someone who wants “access” to me, such as a corrupt foreign government official or corporation. For that access, you’re willing to pretend to respect me and, moreover, you’re willing to pay me that money I’ve always deserved.
Conscious of the appearance of impropriety and the reality of the bribery laws, I tell you not to send that money directly to me. I tell you to send it to my family.
This is a ruse used by mobsters for years. It doesn’t work.

